Council members and other horse riders arrive to the Window Rock fairgrounds for the annualevent to mark the start of the Summer Council Session on July 16, 2017.

Published July 17, 2017

WINDOW ROCK – The 23rdNavajo Nation Council welcomed several groups to Window Rock on Sunday, many of which spent the last several days traveling many miles by horseback, bicycle, and jogging to take part in the annual tradition to mark the start of the Summer Council Session.

As the groups arrived, over 250 people along with Speaker LoRenzo Bates welcomed the participants to the fairgrounds where each group was provided time to speak to bring awareness to several issues including domestic violence, healthy living, youth advocates, and others.

Council Delegates Walter Phelps, Nelson S. BeGaye, Jonathan Hale, Alton Joe Shepherd, Steven Begay, Dwight Witherspoon, and Otto Tso were among the delegates who participated in the horse ride or were present to support the groups.

“On behalf of the 23rdNavajo Nation Council, I thank all of the groups for joining us for the Summer Session and as we honor and recognize them for their accomplishments,” stated Speaker Bates.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez also shared their appreciation at the event. Vice President Nez led a group of runners and spoke about the important of healthy living.

On Monday morning, the groups will make their way from the fairgrounds to the Council Chamber for the start of the Summer Council Session. On the opening day, the Council is scheduled to receive the State of the Nation Address from President Begaye, and oral reports from Speaker Bates, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, Office of the Controller, Attorney General, and acting Chief Justice Allen Sloan.

The Oljato Veterans Organization will post the colors at the start of the session, 2017-2018 Miss Teen Navajo Aysha R. Catron-Tsosie will sing the National Anthem, Miss Mariano Lake Community School Princess Nayeli T. Rico will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and practitioner Bennie Begay of Rock Point will provide the opening prayer.

Bike riders arrive to the Window Rock fairgrounds for the annual event to mark the start of the Summer Council Session on July 16, 2017.

The proposed agenda, which is subject to change, lists a total of 18 legislations that may be considered during this week’s session.The Office of the Speaker will once again partner with the Office of Broadcast Services to live-stream the Summer Session via the Council’s designated Ustream channel. Please visitustream.tvand search for “Navajo Nation Council” in the search box to view live proceedings beginning Monday morning.